Deidamia inscriptum — Lettered Sphinx

(Harris, 1839)

Hodges# 7871

Etymology

Deidamia: In Greek mythology, Deidamia was the lover of Achilles, mother of Neoptolemus, and daughter of King Lycomedes.

Inscriptum: Inscriptum is a Latin word meaning “written on” or “inscribed.”

Pronunciation

dee-uh-DAY-mee-uh In-SCRIPT-um

Documented Occurrences

This map shows the confirmed sightings of the Lettered Sphinx in Indiana. All sightings were confirmed through photographic documentation by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP).

GAIN LP Sightings

Date	County	Observer	Notes	Image1	Image2
2023-05-26	Delaware	Carlson, Jerry
2023-05-25	Hamilton	Kant, Nancy
2023-05-18	Johnson	Kohal-Adams, Kim
2023-05-11	Porter	Joll, Chris
2023-04-29	Fayette	Jaskula, Jeanette
2023-04-14	Hamilton	McCord, Dan
2022-05-16	Steuben	Balaska, Ann	Adult
2022-05-13	Newton	Jaskula, Jeanette	Adult
2022-05-03	Brown	Pollock, Michele	Adult
2021-05-18	Jefferson	Holbrook, Brenda	Adult

Observation Details	Images
Date: 2023-05-26 County: Delaware Observer: Carlson, Jerry Notes:
Date: 2023-05-25 County: Hamilton Observer: Kant, Nancy Notes:
Date: 2023-05-18 County: Johnson Observer: Kohal-Adams, Kim Notes:
Date: 2023-05-11 County: Porter Observer: Joll, Chris Notes:
Date: 2023-04-29 County: Fayette Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes:
Date: 2023-04-14 County: Hamilton Observer: McCord, Dan Notes:
Date: 2022-05-16 County: Steuben Observer: Balaska, Ann Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-13 County: Newton Observer: Jaskula, Jeanette Notes: Adult
Date: 2022-05-03 County: Brown Observer: Pollock, Michele Notes: Adult
Date: 2021-05-18 County: Jefferson Observer: Holbrook, Brenda Notes: Adult

Deidamia inscriptum Sightings by Month

Notes

The Lettered Sphnix is typically the first sphinx species of the season in Indiana; often being in April through June.

Conservation Status

• Global status: G5 (secure)
• National status: N5 (secure)
• Indiana status: NR (not ranked)

Floral Associates

Lettered Sphinx caterpillars are fairly specialized feeders, only eating from four known genera of plants. Adult moths feed upon nectar.

Known Larval Food Sources in Indiana
Family	Taxonomic Name	Common Name
Order: Ericales
Ebenaceae	Oxydendrum arboreum	sourwood
Order: Vitales
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis spp.	peppervine, aka porcelainberry
	Parthenocissus spp.	Virginia creeper and woodbine
	Vitis spp.	grapes